Think your skincare routine is on point? Think again.
When it comes to skin care, men have traditionally kept it simple. However, more men are now pursuing healthier, younger-looking skin, making it a great time for men to evaluate their skin care routine and learn more about how to take care of their body’s largest organ. Although there are key differences between men and women’s skin — for example, men’s skin is thicker than women’s — the basic elements of an effective skin care plan remain the same.
First, it’s important that everyone, including men, identify and understand their skin type:
Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others
Understanding your skin type will help you learn how to take care of your skin and select skin care products that are right for you.
To help men develop healthy skin care routines, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
The skin care products you choose will depend on your skin type. If you have acne-prone skin, look for cleansers and moisturizers that say “oil free” or “non-comedogenic,” as these won’t clog your pores. If you have sensitive skin, use mild, “fragrance free” products, as products containing fragrances can leave skin feeling irritated and dry. However, beware of products labeled “unscented,” as many of these contain masking fragrances that can still irritate your skin.
Because regular bar soap often contains harsh ingredients that can be drying to the skin, wash your face with a mild facial cleanser and lukewarm — not hot — water.
**Watch your shaving technique.**
For some men, multi-blade razors can work too well or shave too closely to your skin. If you often experience razor bumps, razor burns, or ingrown hairs, use a single- or double-blade razor instead and do not stretch your skin taut while shaving. Before you shave, wet your skin and hair to soften it. Use a moisturizing shaving cream and shave in the direction of hair growth. Rinse after each swipe of the razor, and change your blade after five to seven shaves to minimize irritation.
Moisturizer works by trapping water in your skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and make your skin look brighter and younger. For the best results, apply moisturizer to your face and body immediately after bathing, showering or shaving while the skin is still damp.
New spots or moles that itch, bleed, or change color are often early warning signs of skin cancer. If you notice any suspicious spots, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Men over age 50 have a higher risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than the general population. However, when caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable.
To help prevent sun damage that can lead to wrinkles, age spots and even skin cancer, before going outdoors, apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin, including your scalp, ears, neck and lips. For best protection, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating. You can also protect your skin by seeking shade and wearing sun-protective clothing, such as a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection, when possible. For more effective sun protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) label.
Struggling with acne and breakouts? You're not alone.
Everyone deserves great skin, but this big piece of self-care is often overlooked. If you need help preventing your skin from becoming dry, itchy, wrinkly, or oily, skincare is a great place to start. It can also help improve the appearance (and smell) of your beard too.
The trick is to form some solid habits you can keep up with each day. Here’s some key advice to get you started.
Normal, oily, sensitive? A mix of different types? When caring for your skin, think about your skin type. The easiest way to figure this out is by washing your face first then seeing how your skin dries.
Oily: If your face is shiny on your cheeks, forehead, and nose, you probably have oily skin. You also might get pimples more often too. For this skin type, exfoliation is key for clearing any clogged pores. Here’s our guide for shaving with acne.
Dry: If your skin looks flaky in some areas, and feels tight, you most likely have dry skin. Moisturizer will be your best friend to keep your skin hydrated.
Combination: If you find you’ve got a mix of both the above types, you may have combination skin. Keep an eye out for products that work for all skin types.
Sensitive: If your skin feels especially tight, or seems red, you might have sensitive skin. We’d recommend products that are free from alcohol, dyes, and fragrances. If you need help shaving with this skin type, we have tips.
Normal: If you don’t experience any of these things following your face wash, lucky you—most likely, you’ve got normal skin. You can keep your routine pretty simple and handle most products.
Now that you know your skin type, make sure to find a face wash that works for you. Most products will say what skin types they work best for. Some washes are designed to clean your face and beard in one, while others are formulated with sensitive skin in mind.
Our baseline advice is to wash your face twice a day. That’s usually once in the morning, right when you wake up, and again in the evening, before bed. For those with super sensitive skin, you might want to wash your face just once a day. If you’re a daily shaver, that means you can include this step as part of your everyday shaving routine, before applying a shave prep.
Here are seven simple steps for washing your face.
Step 1: Wash your hands.
Step 2: Run your hands under warm water and wet your whole face.
Step 3: Use a small amount of face wash in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together to work up a lather.
Step 4: Apply the product all over your face, moving your hands in circles. Don’t push too hard and try not to get any face wash in your eyes.
Step 5: Rinse your face until it’s completely clear of face wash.
Step 6: Dry your face with a soft, clean towel.
Step 7: Use a moisturizer on your whole face, rubbing it all in like you’re using sunscreen. A little goes a long way!
Also known as a scrub, an exfoliator is basically a creamy or gel-like product with some grit to it. Exfoliation is especially beneficial for those who have oily skin, as it helps you get deep into your pores and give your skin a good clean, getting rid of any dead skin and debris.
It’s pretty simple to make an exfoliator with ingredients you might already have in your home, like brown sugar, honey, baking soda, oatmeal, cinnamon, aloe vera, or tea tree oil. Do a little Googling for recipes and remember to never use an exfoliator on your face that’s meant for your body. Your face will need a more sensitive formula.
Consistency is key here, and if following these steps seems like too much, take it slow. Start with just integrating one or two into your daily routine and go from there. You might not see results right away, but in the long run, you’ll be grateful you took the time to take care of your face.**References:**
Still skipping sunscreen? Your skin's paying the price.
For men who love staying active and spending time outdoors, exercise is a vital part of life. However, while breaking a sweat has numerous health benefits, it's essential to be mindful of the sun's harmful rays. Sun exposure during outdoor activities can lead to sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer if proper precautions aren't taken. In this blog post, we'll delve into the importance of sun protection for men during exercise and explore practical tips for keeping your skin safe while staying active outdoors.
Outdoor workouts expose men's skin to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause damage ranging from sunburn to long-term skin issues. The combination of sweat and UV exposure can make the skin more vulnerable, increasing the risk of sun damage. Whether you're jogging, cycling, playing sports, or hiking, prolonged sun exposure during exercise can have detrimental effects on your skin's health and appearance.
Sun protection isn't just about avoiding sunburn; it's about safeguarding your skin from potential harm, such as premature aging and skin cancer. Men, often exposed to the elements during outdoor activities, need to prioritize sun protection as part of their skincare routine. Effective sun protection not only prevents immediate damage but also ensures long-term skin health and vitality.
Apply Sunscreen: Before heading outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to all exposed skin, including your face, neck, arms, and legs. Choose a sweat-resistant formula that won't wash off easily and reapply every two hours or after sweating heavily.
Wear Protective Clothing: Opt for lightweight, breathable clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Look for moisture-wicking fabrics with built-in UV protection or wear UPF-rated clothing to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
Cover Up: Protect your face, neck, and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat or a baseball cap with a flap for neck coverage. Sunglasses with UV protection are also essential to shield your eyes and the delicate skin around them from sun damage.
Seek Shade: When possible, exercise in shaded areas to reduce direct exposure to the sun. Utilize natural shade from trees, or bring along a portable canopy or umbrella to create your shade.
Hydrate: Stay hydrated before, during, and after your workout to help maintain skin health and prevent dehydration. Drink plenty of water to replenish fluids lost through sweating and keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.
Time Your Workouts: Schedule outdoor workouts during early morning or late afternoon when the sun's intensity is lower. Avoid exercising during peak sun hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV radiation is at its strongest.
In conclusion, sun protection is paramount for men who enjoy staying active outdoors. By incorporating practical sun protection strategies into your exercise routine, such as applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and staying hydrated, you can minimize the risk of sun damage and maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin. Remember, protecting your skin from the sun isn't just about preventing sunburn; it's about prioritizing your long-term skin health and overall well-being. So, before you hit the trails or step onto the field, don't forget to protect your skin and exercise safely in the sun.
Great skin doesn't need a big budget.
For the best results, your men’s skincare routine should be straightforward, effective, and easy to follow consistently. There’s no need for complication here, especially if you’re new to skincare.
A basic men’s skincare routine made up of high quality, all natural products can do wonders for your skin. But you have to stick with it.
For the best results, the routine outlined below should be followed twice daily - first thing in the morning and before going to bed.
Your men’s skincare routine starts with face wash.
Before actually applying your soap, splash warm water on your face. Or even better, take a hot shower to thoroughly clean out your pores.
Then, apply a dime sized amount of face wash. (For normal to oily skin types, we recommend our Clarifying Gel Face Wash.) Any more than that is just a waste - or a sign that you’re using a cheap product that you have to overuse just to feel like it’s working.
Avoid using traditional bar soaps on your face - the vast majority contain chemicals that are too harsh.
Take your time, lightly rubbing the face wash all over your face and neck in circular motions for about 20-30 seconds. Don’t pull down on your skin - you don’t want to expedite the natural occurrence of wrinkles and loose skin.
When you’re done, rinse with cool water. This minimizes the appearance of pores and prevents new dirt and oil from entering them. Then pat your face dry (rubbing your face encourages premature wrinkling from stretching the skin).
Exfoliating (in addition to washing) once or twice a week will help remove dead skin cells and prevent pores from getting clogged. Our Renewing Face Scrub is a great option - gentle, but still gritty enough to deep clean your skin. Don’t exfoliate more than every other day at the most - overdoing it can cause dryness and irritation.
After washing, use face moisturizer (like our Daily Essential Face Moisturizer). Apply a dime sized amount to your entire clean, dry face. This keeps your skin plump, smooth, and bright. The anti-aging ingredients in our face moisturizer - including green tea and hyaluronic acid - help prevent wrinkles too.
If you’re worried about your forehead wrinkles and crow's feet around your eyes, anti-aging cream will help smooth them out and tighten your skin. To specifically target wrinkles and dark circles around the eyes, use our Restoring Eye Cream. It’s made with caffeine which also reduces bags and puffiness.
Add Body Care to Your Men’s Skin Care Routine
Your shower is a critical part of your daily men’s skin care routine. The warm water helps clear out your pores, allowing dirt and bad oils to be easily expelled. But what products should you be using in the shower? How can you get (and stay) clean without drying out or irritating your skin?
The choice to use bar soap or a body wash is purely preferential. If you have dry skin though, a liquid body wash will likely be gentler. All of our body soaps and washes - like our Invigorating Body Wash and Purifying Charcoal Soap Bar - are made with skin moisturizing ingredients like Vitamin E, olive oil, and jojoba oil.
For guys who have dry skin or parts that get flaky and itchy, body lotion is the perfect remedy. Apply our Deep Moisture Body Lotion immediately after showering to heal and prevent dryness. Focus on areas that dry out the most, including elbows, knees, shoulders, lower legs, and hands.
Dark spots ruining your vibe? Let's fix them.
Hyperpigmentation is a broad term that encompasses various forms of discoloration, including sun spots, age spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). While the underlying causes may differ, the common thread is an overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color.
One key distinction in how hyperpigmentation presents in men is the role of shaving and ingrown hairs. "Men get a lot of hyperpigmentation from their beard as a result of shaving and ingrown hairs," explains Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a board-certified celebrity dermatologist in New York City. "This is the type of post-inflammatory pigmentation that is very significant and common in men, probably the most common."
Additionally, men with darker skin tones may be more prone to deeper, more stubborn forms of hyperpigmentation, requiring a tailored approach to treatment.
Understanding the root cause of your hyperpigmentation is the first step in developing an effective treatment plan. Some of the most common triggers include:
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can stimulate increased melanin production, leading to the formation of sun spots and age spots.
Breakouts, ingrown hairs, and other inflammatory skin conditions can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), leaving behind discolored patches.
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women, can contribute to the development of melasma, a specific type of hyperpigmentation characterized by symmetrical brown or gray patches.
Individuals with darker skin tones are more prone to developing deeper, more stubborn forms of hyperpigmentation, as their skin naturally produces more melanin.
The old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" certainly applies when it comes to managing hyperpigmentation. Implementing a few key strategies can go a long way in avoiding or minimizing the appearance of dark spots and discoloration.
Shielding your skin from UV exposure is crucial. Diligently applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sun hours can significantly reduce the risk of sun-induced hyperpigmentation.
Avoid harsh scrubbing, picking, or popping blemishes, as these actions can exacerbate inflammation and lead to further discoloration. Opt for a gentle, non-abrasive cleansing routine and be mindful of your skin's sensitivity.
Incorporating over-the-counter (OTC) products containing skin-brightening ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid, or retinoids can help inhibit melanin production and gradually fade existing dark spots.